WM has determined that water security has low materiality within our business operations. However, water quality, watershed health and pollution prevention remain important considerations in the management of our operations and surrounding ecosystems. We also recognize that global water consumption is an increasingly important environmental issue for many others and are committed to work to use water sparingly and responsibly. Primary water uses include drinking, sanitation, vehicle washing, steam sterilization of medical waste, container washing, dust suppression and landscaping.
Reducing Water Impacts
We continually look for ways to reduce water consumption across our operations by implementing graywater initiatives, using conservation methods such as fixture replacement or water consumption monitoring and implementing globally accepted environmental design guidelines such as LEED and Green Globes. In our Healthcare Solutions segment, where water is a more significant operational input, WM has implemented measures to reduce freshwater consumption at key facilities. For example, our McCarran, Nevada incineration facility utilizes reclaimed water that is treated on-site for operational use. The facility also operates a processed water reuse system designed to eliminate industrial wastewater discharges.
In some market areas, truck wash programs are shifting to the use of recycled water to reduce reliance on municipal water. In addition to our work with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) in certifying wildlife habitat and environmental education at our sites, WM works with WHC on collaborative efforts among nonprofits, government agencies and companies to create water conservation strategies.
Water-Related Risks
Physical Climate Risk
Understanding potential climate risks is essential to the resilience of our operations and the communities we serve. WM conducted a physical climate risk assessment to gain a better understanding of physical risks associated with extreme weather occurrences. Results indicated that by the year 2050, water-related climate impacts from surface water flooding, riverine flooding and coastal inundation are expected to represent the majority of all physical risks that are projected to impact WM. Mitigating and controlling this risk requires business continuity planning, emergency response planning, evaluation of vegetative cover for landfills to reduce repair costs and dedicated staff that manage landfill gas systems.
This assessment helps WM identify locations where future climate conditions may warrant additional monitoring, adaptation measures or operational planning. We will continue to assess water risks and integrate scenario analysis into our operations to develop mitigation plans. For more detailed information on weather and climate-related risks, please see our latest Climate Brief.
Regulatory Risk
We discuss water quality issues with our suppliers and customers pursuant to our participation in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Project and the Sediment Management Working Group. Both groups fund research on water quality parameters and discuss the interaction between water contamination and discharge standards and coverage. Through our work with these groups, we have been successful at encouraging innovation to reduce water impacts through innovative technologies and contaminant sampling and testing techniques.